Top 10 Purple Plants for Your Flower Garden

Whenever I’m planning a garden, no matter what mood I’m trying to create, I always include some plants with purple blooms.Purple seems to symbolize so many things that I find it the most versatile color of all. Let’s say I’m shooting for sophistication: Rich, dark plum and mulberry shades give me that feeling of refinement and luxury. Maybe I’m in the mood to plant a romantic garden: Light lavenders and mauves lend a flirty air. And when it comes to pure fun, any jaunty mix in the lilac-violet-amethyst family adds instant whimsy. Are you starting to feel inspired? Let’s get some purple on with this month’s Top 10.

Verbena

Verbena, zones 9 to 11, annual elsewhere

You can expect summer-long color from these beautiful blooms. These full-sun plants sport attractive clusters of flowers and grow to about 18 inches high. Keep the soil moist but well drained; dry conditions can hinder flowering.

Top picks: Both V. bonariensis and the Imagination cultivar blossom in joyous shades that run between magenta and violet.

RDA-GID

Lavender

Lavandula, Zones 5 to 10

Lavender’s not just beautiful; its powerful scent does wonders to alleviate stress. The silvery-gray plant grows from 1 to 4 feet tall in full sun and boasts graceful spires of tiny flowers.

Clematis

Clematis spp., Zones 3 to 9

You say “CLEM-uh-tiss,” I say “cluh-MAT-iss”: However you pronounce it, this is one dazzling plant. Some grow up to 30 feet tall, it provides more flowers in less space than almost anything you’ll find. Plant in a sunny, sheltered spot and watch it thrive.

Top picks: The classic Jackmanii springs to mind instantly, but Arabella is all that plus multitones of blue and mauve.

Perennialresource.com

Bellflower

Campanula spp., Zones 3 to 9

In addition to perennials, the bellflower family includes annuals and biennials, all with graceful blossoms lasting from late spring into summer. Although it also enjoys full sun, planting in partial shade preserves its delicate colors. Keep bellflowers happy by watering regularly.

Catmint

Nepeta, Zones 3 to 8

Easy to grow, catmint provides silvery-green or gray foliage and a long season of blooms. The flower spikes reach about 2 feet tall and enjoy full sun. Many hybrid catmints are sterile, so they don’t seed. Divide plants in spring or take cuttings in summer.

Top picks: For fun, the classic cultivar Nepeta x faassenii can’t be beat. For an alpine ambience, give N. sibirica a shot.

Proven Winners

Salvia

Salvia spp., Zones 4 to 9, Annual Elsewhere

Count on this attention getter for color all season in any landscape. Its 8- to 30-inch-tall plumes teem with tubular flowers. Though it’s generally partial to full sun, this resilient plant will thrive in partial shade during hot summers.

Top picks: The Evolution and May Night cultivars offer intense, dramatic purple hues.

RDA-GID

Allium

Allium spp., Zones 3 to 9

If you want to add brightness and bounce, there’s no better bloomer than allium. This pretty perennial is a winning selection for most backyards. Not only can you find an allium to suit almost any spot, it’s easy to grow, and you can find different types that will bloom from late spring to fall.

Top picks: Try A. aflatunense for a sassy taste of purplish pink or Globemaster if you prefer a saucy hint of bluish purple.

Chris Burrows/Gapphotos.com

Pasque flower

Pulsatilla, Zones 4 to 8

An early-spring bloomer, pasque flower adds texture to any garden. While it’s not a go-to perennial for most gardeners, this sun-loving, drought-tolerant, fuss-free flower certainly deserves top honors on our list.

Top picks: P. vulgaris offers an enchanting mauve, while the silvery overtones of P. halleri add an icy, textured charm.

We have clematis in eastern Arkansas, but the whiteflies attack it hard! I spray the leaves often & get a good showing in spring and another in fall. We have a friend who lives 3 miles away, however..surrounded by wheat & rice fields. She has no whiteflies & her clematis are beautiful! They’re worth the extra care if you’re able to do so. My husband built an iron circle for one clematis to grow on. He built an iron heart for the other. Very beautiful ornamentation for this flowering vine!

Every flower in my garden and their colourful blooms mean something to me. My favourite colour is purple and I have a lot of plants with purple blooms. Some of yours catch my attention and I have to have them. Thank you, they are marvellous!

The flower is not the most impressive part, but Tradescantia pallida is a beautiful purple plant (“wandering jew”) with small purple and white flowers. It is stunning as a border for a lawn or bed. LOVES SUN. Probably Zone 7B or higher (we have it here near Charlotte NC)

We’ve had pretty good luck with lavender vs deer, the darling things. I keep telling them to go back down to the river bottoms to eat the nice corn and beans that the farmer down there planted just for them, but no such luck so far.

Every flower in my garden and their colourful blooms mean something to me. My favourite colour is purple and I have a lot of plants with purple blooms. Some of yours catch my attention and I have to have them. Thank you, they are marvelous!

Regarding deer, we just got this motion activated sprinkler on Amazon: Orbit 62100 Yard Enforcer Motion Activated Sprinkler https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009F1R0GC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_rG74N5rJqurSi
We got it to deter our dogs from certain areas in our back yard, but I think it would work to scare off deer as well. Our dogs applied for that job too but then they don’t come back!